A Study on the Interface between Orphanhood, Street Children and Child Labour in Namibia

Summary

The Government of the Republic of Namibia is a signatory to the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and these Rights are enshrined in the Constitution. The country has and is still doing everything possible to ensure that children are free from ignorance, disease and hunger. Despite these noble ideals, it is sad to note that the nation is riddled with an explosive and worrisome situation of endless increase in the number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), emanating from the escalating spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Coupled with the pandemic, there are other problems such as the acute shortage of skilled manpower and lack of funding at local level to properly cater for the psycho-social and other needs of OVC. In order for the Government and its development partners, particularly UNICEF, to have a clear picture of the situation, a comprehensive study on the interface between Orphan-hood, Street Children and Child Labour was carried out by the Namibian Integrated Development Consultants. The team used data collection procedures such as interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions to find out the relationships between the three variables. The findings of the study were critically analysed, succinctly summarised and a number of implications were highlighted. On the basis of the implications, recommendations were made to Government and its development partners on the kinds of interventions that are needed to be put in place to alleviate the current situation of OVC, Street children and Child Labour in the country.